Health Newsletter
January 2017
Volume 3, Issue 6
Miss Morgan
[email protected]
Get in the Game
Team sports can help kids build confidence. Here's how to encourage and support your
young athlete.
Playing on a sports team improves physical and mental health, promotes teamwork, and
provides hours of fun and countless memories. It also teaches kids how to win and lose
gracefully. Your participation in youth sports is important, too. Supporting your "family
teammate" can help your child reach his or her full potential, on and off the field. The bond
you form can open the door to meaningful conversations. From a pat on the back to
coaching his or her team, there are a variety of ways you can support your child's athletic
life. Here are some suggestions:
 Attend games and practices when possible. If you take an interest, your child will
take an interest. But be sure to let it be your child's game and dream — not yours.
 Provide positive reinforcement. Winning a game or scoring a big goal may put a
smile on your child's face, but make sure to congratulate her on smaller tasks and
overall effort, as well. Plus, every child is important — not just the star players.
 Consider what you say. Some games end in cheers, others end in tears. Kids
know when they haven't played to their full potential, so there's no need to remind
them.
 Congratulate your child on his valiant effort and offer to help him improve anything
he feels he needs to work on with relaxed backyard practice sessions. But do your
homework before offering advice — you don't want to give him bad sporting tips.
 Offer to coach. While this is probably the most demanding commitment a parent
can make to youth sports, it's easily the most rewarding. Children need
respectable adult role models, and supportive coaching can make a huge positive
impact on their development.
 Get involved. Every little bit counts. If you're unable to coach, there are plenty of
other ways to get involved in your child's practices or games. Provide
refreshments, manage the scoreboard or league registrations, or coordinate
fundraising and carpools.
As a parent, your contributions, whether big or small, make an immeasurable difference in
your child's athletic experience. You can provide meaningful guidance, help your kids
become better people, and show them how to have fun as they grow and discover vital life
lessons.
SOURCE: www.scholastic.com